Spring Break

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It's five o'clock somewhere, and during spring break that means it's time for a great tropical drink. Even if you're not humming along to Jimmy Buffett tunes at a beach bar in the Caribbean you can enjoy the tastes of the tropics. In fact, a mai tai can be the best way to ignore the fact that your city is getting hammered by yet another winter storm.

Americans visit no other country more than Mexico. Too often it's hardly Mexico at its deepest though, as many see the tourist scene off a cruise ship, beach hotels cramming the last inch of the beach at Cancun or sometimes a border town for a few hours. Mexico is mucho mas. To help find it, here's how to use a handful of popular airports as a springboard to beat the spring break crowds.

Spring break is on the horizon, even though much of the country is still stuck in winter's chilly grip. Whether you're planning a Florida vacation to Disney World, a trip to a California beach or are suffering through another New York snow day, we've created spring break crawls in 26 cities to add some warm weather fun to your day.

Eat all you can aboard the Spirit of Chicago sightseeing yacht as it glides across Lake Michigan. Photo: Spirit of Chicago.

Spring fever rages in Chicago where the perennially pent-up-by-winter shed a dozen pounds -- literally and psychically -- just by shrugging off their Gore-Tex and shedding Sorels.

Get the All-Inclusive Treatment: Spirit of ChicagoPay one price for a bundled food or drink experience

Combine a sightseeing tour with an all-you-can-eat meal aboard Spirit of Chicago. The Navy Pier-based, 600-capacity yacht makes dining tours several times weekly. Gorge on salads and chicken at lunch (from $49.90) and sirloin and talapia at dinner (from $72.90) between selfies and panoramas of the skyline.

March weather in San Diego -- sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s -- makes it a popular spring break hub. While the college crowds may swarm the beaches (or head south over the border), there are things to do all over the city to channel spring break.

The tulip displays at Cheekwood in Bloom feature more than 100,000 flowers. Photo: Cheekwood

A sure sign of spring in Nashville is the arrival of short skirts and cowboy boots at the honky tonks of Lower Broadway. Pack your appreciation for good tunes and come on down for spring break in the heart of Tennessee.